DR Congo: Only the goal of combating HIV / AIDS is close

Published on Wed, 2013-01-30 10:08

Children in Lubumbashi. (Photo: J McDowell, Flickr.)

The crisis of the Congolese economy was due to the fall in copper prices and the oil shock of 1974, followed by the "Zairisation" of the country, and it was reinforced by bad governance and high population growth, which sends every year to the labor market a lot of people of working age.

This crisis was exacerbated by the sack of 1991 and 1993 and the liberation wars of 1996 and 1998. There is great poverty in the country and we do not find the least political will in terms of job creation.

Around 80% of the population lacks access to clean water and electricity, 70% have no access to primary health care and the country has one of the highest rates of infant mortality. The constitution provides for free and compulsory primary education, but the realization of this principle remains problematic. As for "the promotion of equality", there is certainly progress, but still can be seen that girls and women are subjected to sexual slavery and forced marriages, or have been victims of sexual harassment.

In terms of progress, the results of the MICS 2010 indicate that achieving certain goals in 2015 is possible thanks to the efforts made in the fight against HIV / AIDS and women's empowerment. Regarding the objectives related to poverty reduction, education for all by 2015, child health, combating malaria and sanitation, real progress is not observed. Finally, progress is moderate in terms of maternal health and access to drinking water.